MAGGIE HOLMES Photography and Scrapbooking Blog

Papertrey & Pom Poms

The monthly challenge over at Papertrey Ink this month was to use some type of pom poms on your project. I chose to use these pom pom trims that I found at JoAnn's. I couldn't resist all of the fun colors so I bought a little of each and now they are sitting in this blue bowl on my desk just waiting to be used again and again!! What a fun challenge!

I created an 8.5x11 layout for my project and used the pink and yellow trims. I am in love with the new Vintage Yummy Sassafras Lass papers and my page was highly inspired by the little framed vintage artwork (with the flowers and the bird) that I cut from the "remember me" patterned paper.

I wanted my stamped accents to resemble the vintage cutout so I stamped them on cream cardstock and then used bright markers to color in some of the areas. Then I also used a brown ZIG Writer to outline the flowers. Over on the right side of the page I stamped the vine stamp with yellow ink for a subtle effect on my background paper, and then again I outlined it with a brown ZIG Writer so it would coordinate with the other hand-drawn touches. The scallop border on the right edge of the page was created by stamping it on cream cardstock and then I cut it with my scallop scissors. How lucky is it that my scissors match the spacing on the scallop stamp exactly!!

This was a fun challenge and one that you should definitely try! These pom pom trims are definitely addicting! I bet they will find their way onto lots of my other projects in the future!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Supplies:

Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Everyday Classics, Tags for Spring, Beyond Basic Borders)

Ink: Papertrey Ink (Lemon Tart, Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz)

Cardstock: Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper: Studio Calico, Colorbok, Sassafras Lass)

Buttons: Papertrey Ink

Chipboard Bracket: Making Memories

Die Cut Letter: My Mind's Eye

Punches: EK Success

Pen: ZIG Writer

Other: Glitter Paint, Pom pom trims and Markers

Online Photography Workshop

click this link to see complete workshop details and to register

Shabby Baby Contest

Recently I was browsing the Shabby Apple website, wishing that I could order one of everything! They have the CUTEST dresses - both for women and little girls - and I LOVE them all!! 

Seriously, how cute would Emily Jane look in this dress! I have to have it!! As I was trying to figure out a way to justify ordering everything I wanted, I saw that they are having a Shabby Baby model search and the winner will receive an entire Shabby Baby spring wardrobe and will be used in their Summer 2009 photoshoot!!

HELLO!! I knew I had to enter Emily into this for sure! I am not usually one for contests but I would be mad at myself if I didn't at least try!!

In order to enter I have to post 3 pictures of Emily here on my blog:

And I have to explain why she is the "Picture Princess." (Excuse me while I brag about my daughter for a second and reveal my true feelings! :) )

Emily Jane, or our "pretty princess" as we call her, is just that - the princess of our family. She has 3 older brothers and a daddy that are all wrapped around her little finger. Actually, you can add her proud and grateful mama to that list too because she is also the light of my life! Needless to say, we all think she is the cutest thing to walk this planet and we all agree that everything she does is absolutely adorable! In all reality though, she needs the Shabby Baby spring wardrobe because she doesn't have any older sisters to giver her their hand-me-downs and she is growing like a weed! There's no doubt that she would also wear the dresses well and she would definitely show off each of them to all of her neighborhood friends. She is a perfect fit for the position; of that we are sure, and we are hoping to be showing off all of her new dresses very soon! :)

Vote for Emily!! Just kidding.... but actually, it probably wouldn't hurt if you want to help her out by commenting here and also stopping over at Shabby Baby to drop them a line and tell them that you think Emily Jane Holmes should be the next Shabby Baby Girl!! (just click the "contact us" button at the top of their website and you can fill in the info to send them a message.) THANKS!!

Sneak Peek for the Romney's

Even though this little guy did not want to sleep for us, he was still happy and content most of the time -

despite all of the outfit changes and different spots we were putting him in! 

We typically get few (if any) shots of newborns with their eyes open, but he was wide awake in most of his! 

I can tell that this little bundle of joy will bring a lot of happiness to his parents!

The perfect little foot shot.... It was like he knew what I wanted him to do! I was giddy with excitement during this and I always wonder after if the parents think I am a little kooky because of the things I say while I am shooting. It is just makes me so happy when I know I am getting the shot I want and I can't help but shout for joy! :)

Those beautiful little newborn eyes - trying to stay open and wanting to take it all in... yet they are still so fresh and new and tired and wanting to close at the same time. 

This shot makes me wish I could have a peek into his mind.....

The happy family... Baby B was loving being outside... he was so calm and just at ease.

Will share more soon!

Papertrey Ink Projects

Have you been following along with all of the sneak peeks over on the Papertrey Ink Blog? I am in love with so many of the new stamps they are releasing this month!!!

And, I finally get to share my projects with you! So exciting!

I love love love their new Damask Designs set! It is awesome! I used the large stamp to create the black/white embellishments that are on the edges of the page. First I stamped the image on black paper with the Papertrey Fresh Snow Ink (and can I just say that this is the best white ink I have ever used!) and then heat embossed it with white embossing powder. Then I punch it out with a large scalloped circle punch and cut it in half! I also used the Beyond Basic Borders set, the Journaling Lines set and the Mixed Messages sets on this page. Seriously so many of the stamp sets they are releasing this month are right up my alley!! Love it!

Supplies:

Papertrey Ink Stamps: Beyond Basic Borders, Damask Designs, Journaling Lines, Mixed Messages

Papertrey Ink Ink: True Black, Fresh Snow

Papertrey Ink: Cardstock, Vintage Buttons

K&Company: Pink patterned paper

Making Memories: Letter stickers, epoxy buttons, metal photo corners

Studio Calico: Rip Strip

Zig: Writer

EK Success: Scalloped circle punch

Again I loved the Tags for Spring stamp set the moment I saw it. They are all just too cute! I kind of went outside the box on the color scheme for this one but I love how it turned out. Sometimes it is fun to pair colors that you wouldn't normally put together and as long as you have a good balance of each color it always seems to work! To create the circles I simply stamped the images onto white cardstock and then punched them out and stitched them onto my page! Simple and easy!!

Supplies:

Papertrey Ink Stamps: Journaling Lines, Beyond Basic Borders, Tags for Spring

Papertrey Ink Ink: True Black, melon Berry, Raspberry Fizz

Papertrey Ink: Vintage Buttons, Cardstock, Ribbon (melon berry top notch twill and raspberry fizz saddle stitched) and Patterned Paper (b&w basics and raspberry fizz mix)

Prima: flowers

Making Memories: flowers, brads, metal sign, metal photo corner

Zig: Writer

EK Success: Scalloped Circle Punch and Circle Punch

CK KOTM: Label

And last but not least I loved this tree stamp and the tiny little messages from the Mixed Messages set so I made a quick little card. I wanted my message to show through from the inside so I punched a large scalloped circle out of the front of the card. Then I wanted my tree and butterflies to look like they were floating above the opening so I placed them on a transparency and then stitched that to the front of the card. The butterflies are from the Tags for Spring set. I simply stamped them on white cardstock and cut them out. Also, the swirly design on the inside is from the Everyday Classics set. It is a larger stamp than what I needed so I only inked the part of the stamp that I wanted to use! Its a great way to stretch your supplies and get more versatility out of your stamps!

Supplies:

Papertrey Ink Stamps: Everyday Classics, Mixed Messages, Beyond Basic Borders, Tags for Spring

Papertrey Ink Ink: True Black, Fresh Snow, ocean Tides, Lavender Moon, Plum Pudding

Papertrey Ink: Cardstock, Vintage Buttons, Patterned Paper (b&w basics)

Making Memories: Rhinestone stickers

EK Success: Scalloped Circle Punch

Be sure to check out the Papertrey Ink Blog for more sneak peeks and more excitement!! All of the new products that I used will be available for purchase on the 15th!! Yeah!! That's tomorrow!

Studio Calico Design Team!

Remember when I was the guest designer over at Studio Calico a few months ago? 

Well, you will be seeing a lot more of me over there now....

.... and I couldn't be more excited!

(I will also be the hosting on the Studio Calico blog for the next few days so please come and say hi!) 

Valentine's Mini Album Inspire Guide

*  Do you have a bunch of products in your stash that you don't know what to do with?

*  Do you want to create fun and fabulous projects but don't know where to start?

*  Do you need help using up the products that you have before you buy new ones?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then my new Inspire Guides will be perfect for you!

Each Inspire Guide will include full color images of a fun and fabulous project designed by me, along with step-by-step instructions. Also, each Inspire Guide will include an exclusive digital element that you can print out and include in the project! (So excited about this part!) And the price is only $5.00!!

The first Inspire Guide is a Valentine's Mini Album - just in time for Valentine's Day! It is all about the love in this project so it is the perfect gift for anyone that you love, any time of year actually!

Here is a little sneak peek of the project:

Remember, when you purchase the inspire guide you will get a pdf with full color images of the entire project (with instructions) along with the printable digital element.

Here is the digital element for this one, along with a sneak peek of how I have printed it on a transparency and included it in the book so that you can see the photo behind it.

(You can see that once you print it on the transparency, the colors are actually a lot softer and it compliments the other elements in the book really well.)

Are you excited? I hope so! Keep reading for a little more info and then the button to buy the guide!

Another note to remember - these guides are designed to INSPIRE and help you use what you already have. Please don't feel like you have to purchase the exact supplies I have used in my project. In fact, some of the things I used may or may not still be available as I am trying to use up my stash too! The idea is to substitute and use something comparable for each item and in the end you will have created your own unique album that has your personal touch!! Awesome right? (In the instructions I will also give you suggestions on ways you can swap out items so you can use what you have on hand.)

Allrighty, here is the link to buy the first Inspire Guide! (Once you purchase the guide I will email you a link where you can download the complete guide. I will email the link within 24 hours, but usually much sooner.) And please share your completed projects with me once you are done! I will post some of them here on the blog so that others can see your beautiful creations!

Have fun!!

Teaser for Brooke & Daniel

I know you guys are dying to see these so here is a little sneak peek!! 

I am having so much fun playing with the images from this shoot.... I love this age!

Many more to come!

Sneak Peek for Natalie

You have seen her before and I think we can all agree how adorable she is. 

She melts me with her cuteness every single time.

This one is my favorite, but as you can imagine I actually have lots of favorites...

so I guess you could call it my favorite of the favorites! :) 

I love that it was a tiny bit windy and how the sunlight is hitting her hair.... just makes me happy!

There will definitely be lots more to come!

Wow....

.... what a response!! That was exciting! 

(The contest is now closed)

Thank you for all of your sweet comments! I am super excited to join the Papertrey team for the next two months and I am happy that you are all excited about it too! :) Needless to say it has been a little crazy here today trying to keep up and read all of the comments but it has also been fun! Before we announce the winner I wanted to answer a couple of questions that I seem to keep getting.

Many of you emailed and asked about the links to subscribe to my blog feed so I added those over on the left side at the bottom. There is now a link to subscribe to the feed for readers like google reader and also an email feed.

I also had quite a few emails asking about whether or not I will be doing any more photography workshops. The answer is yes... and based on the requests from all of you I have decided that my next workshop will be an online workshop. I want to accommodate everyone and I know that it can be expensive to travel so this should make it possible for more of you to "attend." I haven't worked out all of the details yet but I will set the date and open registration soon -- so watch for that!

Now onto the best part of a giveaway -- the winner! 

And I hate to do this to you but I have to be like Ryan Seacrest on American Idol and make you wait even longer to see who won! No, you really don't have to wait for any commercials but you do have to go here. Since Papertrey is having so many giveaways in the next 14 days they have created an official prize page to list the daily winners. So, just make sure you go there to see if you won!! 

Papertrey Ink

Here it is..... that giveaway I was talking about.... and a fun announcement!

Papertrey Ink (have  you heard of them?) is an awesome company that specializes in clear stamps. And they also have their own line of exclusive paper crafting supplies, embellishments and accessories.  If you haven't heard of them, you must check them out! The first time I was on their website, I was there forever, browsing through all of their awesome stamps! I must admit, I wanted them all!!

Well, this month Papertrey Ink is celebrating their 2 year anniversary and with that comes a lot of fun festivities that will take place on the Papertrey blog, including:

-BIG announcements about exciting changes & NEW products EVERYDAY for 14 days (February 1st-14th)!

-SIX (rather than the traditional five) big countdown project presentations (9th-14th)

-challenges to keep you stamping your heart out!

-super fun blog games like you've never seen before!

-nearly $3,500 in prizes & giveaways! 

They have also asked me to be their inaugural guest designer! I will be joining their team for January and February.... which means I will be sharing lots of fun projects featuring some of their latest and greatest product releases! So fun!!

So..... to start the party off right I am hosting a giveaway sponsored by this fabulous company, and the "Maggie's Papertrey Picks" prize package includes $100 worth of product all picked by me! It was so fun choosing my favorite products to give away! Here are a couple of peeks of the prize package. I love the look of labels and this stamp set, paired with the rectangle punch (yes you get the punch too!!) will allow you to create all of your own labels! How fun is that? Can you imagine the possiblities? I love products like this that are soooo versatile and can be used over and over for a variety of projects!! And the cardstock colors are just so fresh and - for lack of a better word - delightful! I know that seems cheesy but they just make me smile!

Are you as excited as I am? I hope so!!

All you have to do to enter the drawing is leave a comment here on this blog post. You have until Feb. 3rd at 12am EST. So, post away and good luck!!